6 Margarita Recipes That Are Cooler Than the Ones You Made in College

'Cause it's almost Cinco and you're a grown woman.

It's almost Cinco de Mayo, and while this is more of a U.S. holiday than anything else (sorry, amigos), it's a pretty damn good reason to drink a margarita (or several...). But before you reach for your tried-and-true circa-college staples, try these upgrades. You—and your not-so-terrible hangover—will thank us.

1 of 6

Jamaica Blood Orange Margarita

Give your normal marg a delish upgrade with a blood orange twist.
Ingredients:
4 oz tequila
2 oz triple sec
6 oz Bai5 Bubbles Jamaica Blood Orange (a sparkling orange juice)
Juice of two limes
Lime wedges, for garnish
Salt, for rimming edge of glass (optional )
Directions:
Pour 1/4 inch of salt in a shallow plate.
Moisten the rim of a margarita glass with a lime wedge, and dip it into the salt.
Fill the glass with ice, and set aside.
Pour the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker over ice.
Cover, and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker has frosted.
Strain into the prepared glasses, pour Jamaica Blood Orange and stir.
Garnish with lime wedges to serve.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

2 of 6

Patrón Smoked Sea Salt Margarita of the Year

This sweet cocktail gets a dash of spice with paprika. Consider it the more adult take on that fruity drink you've been ordering since you were 19...I mean, 21.
Directions:
1½ oz Patrón Silver
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz pineapple juice
½ oz agave nectar
a pinch of smoked paprika
smoked sea salt
Ingredients:
Prepare an old fashioned glass by moistening the rim and rolling it in smoked sea salt.
Shake everything with ice.
Strain over fresh ice cubes in the prepared glass.
Garnish with a lime and a dusting of smoked paprika.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3 of 6

Bandera de Puebla

Created by Rob Krueger, of Extra Fancy in Brooklyn, this drink gives a nod to the Mexican flag with its cool layers. (#YouGotThis)
Ingredients:
1 oz. Patron Reposado
1 oz. Patron Citronge Lime
.5 oz. Coconut Cream
.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
.75 oz Pomegranate Juice
Mint Sprig for Garnish
Directions:
Combine the Patron Reposado, Citronge Lime, Coconut & Lime Juice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well.
Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
Gently pour the pomegranate juice so it settles to the bottom half of the drink creating two equal layers of white and red.
Garnish with a sprig of mint to represent the three colors of the Mexican flag.

Created by Damian Windsor in LA, this super easy drink is the fanciest-looking thing you can make in about 20 seconds flat. We also like Windsor's recommendation for those without highball glasses: "Alternatively, take a big sip out of a can of Squirt soda and add the other ingredients directly into it." See—easy.
Ingredients:
1 oz. Patron Roca Silver
.75 oz. Patron Citronge Lime
1 oz. Campari
1 oz. grapefruit juice
Top with Squirt
Directions:
Add ice and liquid ingredients to a highball glass, garnish with a grapefruit peel twist.